Anyone thinking about trading in on the new GR86?

I've got an '08 E92 M3 that I've owned for about 2 years now and it's now just over 80k miles. Unfortunately I think this example was never maintained over it's life and it's taken about $15-$20k just to catch up on maintenance and parts since I've owned it. It's mostly in good shape now, barring a massive washer fluid leak. I've basically mechanically totaled it from my buy in at $19k.

Shotgunning items fixed: rod bearings, leaky DCT, alternator, throttle body actuators, new tires, repaired headliner, pads/rotors/fluids, most trim and under-body panels. It's been expensive and while I can afford it no problem, the frequency of these issues popping up has shaken my confidence in the car and I don't feel like driving it too often. The 80k-150k mile journey has me worried a bit. Overall, it's in really good shape now thankfully.

I could about make even on a new Toyota GR86 with current market rates and that would mean cheaper track days for sure. I think I'm through the worst of it getting this M3 back to health but still on the fence.

I know these questions are always personal to the individual, but I did want to see if anyone else has been thinking about trading in on a cheaper track day car like the GR86 or even going newer to the M4 with better reliability across the board.

I think the new gr86 is great but personally I would wait until they are in the teens. Your car will only gain value while the other massively depreciates. But if you're sincerely burdened by the possibility of maintenance issues to the point it ruins the experience it's probably time for a change.

Cmassey3 wrote

I've got an '08 E92 M3 that I've owned for about 2 years now and it's now just over 80k miles. Unfortunately I think this example was never maintained over it's life and it's taken about $15-$20k just to catch up on maintenance and parts since I've owned it. It's mostly in good shape now, barring a massive washer fluid leak. I've basically mechanically totaled it from my buy in at $19k.

Shotgunning items fixed: rod bearings, leaky DCT, alternator, throttle body actuators, new tires, repaired headliner, pads/rotors/fluids, most trim and under-body panels. It's been expensive and while I can afford it no problem, the frequency of these issues popping up has shaken my confidence in the car and I don't feel like driving it too often. The 80k-150k mile journey has me worried a bit. Overall, it's in really good shape now thankfully.

I could about make even on a new Toyota GR86 with current market rates and that would mean cheaper track days for sure. I think I'm through the worst of it getting this M3 back to health but still on the fence.

I know these questions are always personal to the individual, but I did want to see if anyone else has been thinking about trading in on a cheaper track day car like the GR86 or even going newer to the M4 with better reliability across the board.

I think you will regret it, this is my second M3. I'm in a similar situation and replaced almost everything you mentioned in your list. Miles are about the same. I'd say I have about 7-10k into it (mostly FCP parts with the lifetime warranty), I'd probably walk away with a "profit" of 4-5k, NOW. That's a big probable as you know everything you replaced doesn't mean you costs is then added to the price of your car.

Once the used car markets settles down these prices will creep back into the 24-28k range.

You have a lot into it. What do you think your car is worth?

nycplumber wrote

I think the new gr86 is great but personally I would wait until they are in the teens. Your car will only gain value while the other massively depreciates. But if you're sincerely burdened by the possibility of maintenance issues to the point it ruins the experience it's probably time for a change.

That's a good point, I imagine we'll get out of the covid crazy car market at some point in the next year or so and 86s will drop in price.

InnerBlueSkies wrote

I think you will regret it, this is my second M3. I'm in a similar situation and replaced almost everything you mentioned in your list. Miles are about the same. I'd say I have about 7-10k into it (mostly FCP parts with the lifetime warranty), I'd probably walk away with a "profit" of 4-5k, NOW. That's a big probable as you know everything you replaced doesn't mean you costs is then added to the price of your car.

Once the used car markets settles down these prices will creep back into the 24-28k range.

You have a lot into it. What do you think your car is worth?

Ah, this is some great insight. I've been checking values this week and it seems sub 100k E92 M3s are around $30-$35k depending on options and condition. Trade in isn't great at $22-$25k.

I'm still on the fence about keeping it since it's really fun on track, I just need it to hold together.

It would be really challenging to replace this car as it's a really unique experience for sure

The 86 has awesome looks but driving it is more boring than sinking in the mid Atlantic ocean! The car has no power man! it's dull and boring! The SUPRA is the only car that is in the same power level of the M3

That's one of the risks of getting a used car - you never know if the previous owner cared for it. I too got a unit that wasn't well loved. Spent the most part of my first year of ownership in and out of workshops replacing stuff. It's depressing and at one point I was questioning my purchase, so I know the feeling.

Once that was done tho, the car has been rock solid. No weird issues in the last 5 years other than normal wear and tear stuff. So if you have already gotten the car to a stable state, just enjoy the car. It would be a shame to put in that much money and then sell it on to be enjoyed by the next owner.

And that's before even talking about the V8 under the hood. That engine is truly special. You will miss it the moment you start the '86.

Considering trading in my STI toward an 86. But my job requires me to cover territory from Oregon to BC and I can't count the number of times AWD and blizzaks made the difference between me being stuck at home and getting on site. The M3 isn't going anywhere.

Super Spartan wrote

The 86 has awesome looks but driving it is more boring than sinking in the mid Atlantic ocean! The car has no power man! it's dull and boring! The SUPRA is the only car that is in the same power level of the M3

If the car is boring to drive that is on you and your driving skill

evomike wrote

If the car is boring to drive that is on you and your driving skill

The better one’s driving skill, the more boring a boring car becomes.

Man, I'm about to hit the end of my rope on this thing. Shop just called and said front bearings are needed as well. I'm gonna try to DIY, but my track day budget is disappearing on me.

Bartledoo wrote

The better one’s driving skill, the more boring a boring car becomes.

hard no, especially when they compare it to a supra because of power. dude is a straight line throttle smasher and hard on the brakes because turns are scary.

evomike wrote

hard no, especially when they compare it to a supra because of power. dude is a straight line throttle smasher and hard on the brakes because turns are scary.

Who is “they”? People doing video reviews/comparisons? I’m not sure what they have to do with anything.

An advanced driver will most definitely find a boring car more boring. Challenging is the opposite of boring.

Aftermarket for the GR will be great. That's the whole idea IMO. Car is begging for a supercharger, HKS will happily provide.

Cmassey3 wrote

Man, I'm about to hit the end of my rope on this thing. Shop just called and said front bearings are needed as well. I'm gonna try to DIY, but my track day budget is disappearing on me.

IMHO, I love the E92 M3 to death, but I don't think it makes a great track car due to cost. I think it makes a great street car though. I looked at your list at $19k seems high for all the work you have done?

I think the new GR86 looks pretty good on paper, but I don't think I'd enjoy it THAT much on the street. The previous motor just did nothing for me at all, but we'll see how this new one is.

I think if you are a track junky, the move makes sense.

You should come to Japan and see how many trackrats complain about multiple blown engines of GR86 at Suzuka. Their oil supply system isn't adequate for running high lateral Gs, and being a boxer engine doesn't help that at all.
E92 M3 on the other hand runs for hours even with tired engines with 70K km+ on the odometer, given appropriate oil changes.

Bartledoo wrote

evomike wrote

If the car is boring to drive that is on you and your driving skill

The better one's driving skill, the more boring a boring car becomes.

Agreed. Driving a Viper GTS Coupe on a polished concrete, 120m diameter, wet skid pad, at the limit, was just as rewarding and challenging for me as climbing to the top of Mount Everest is made out to be. Driving a Toyota Tercel (at the limit or beyond) on that same skid pad was boring as hell - lap after lap. In fact, I'd drive the Tercel on the skid pad while eating a sandwich…. But never the Viper! It would definitely keep you on your toes… or bite you..
.

@Cmassey3 I sympathize with having poured so much money into your E9X M3, but if we consider the ~$20K you've already invested into repairs, then trading it in for a GT86 for a mid $20K trade-in price would be like giving it to them because the trade-in price doesn't include recovering the cost of the money you invested for repairs.

I say keep your E9X M3 now that it's in much better condition.

PS: I know a person who owns a GR86 and aspires to own an E9X M3, but not the other way around.

DrFerry wrote

@Cmassey3 I sympathize with having poured so much money into your E9X M3, but if we consider the ~$20K you've already invested into repairs, then trading it in for a GT86 for a mid $20K trade-in price would be like giving it to them because the trade-in price doesn't include recovering the cost of the money you invested for repairs.

I say keep your E9X M3 now that it's in much better condition.

PS: I know a person who owns a GT86 and aspires to own an E9X M3, but not the other way around.

This^.

Raced and had many of these be lapped via an old spec miata I drove before. It's just the next in a long line of throw away cars; dodge srt-4, acura RS, celica gt, Dodge Dart gt, etc.

Respect for dialing in the fine tuning for cornering and handling, but trading an M3 for one of these is a bad decision both financially and overall performance wise.

I have a stock Z4 3.0si that laps these things on 6 tracks I've taken it to for multiple track days. On top of that, you have to deal with half the crowd who thinks they are the same as Porsches and can hang with them(spoilers, they can't), and the other half the crowd who stances them and puts -10deg camber into them lol.

-Duke

Bartledoo wrote

evomike wrote

If the car is boring to drive that is on you and your driving skill

The better one’s driving skill, the more boring a boring car becomes.

I just watched IMSA Mazda MX-5 Cup.
180hp and not boring at all.

rhyary wrote

I just watched IMSA Mazda MX-5 Cup.
180hp and not boring at all.

Those cars aren’t setup in a boring manner, and that is RACING rather than lapping. Completely different game.

You should definitely trade for a GR86 though if that’s what you’re getting at…

Cmassey3 wrote

InnerBlueSkies wrote

I think you will regret it, this is my second M3. I'm in a similar situation and replaced almost everything you mentioned in your list. Miles are about the same. I'd say I have about 7-10k into it (mostly FCP parts with the lifetime warranty), I'd probably walk away with a "profit" of 4-5k, NOW. That's a big probable as you know everything you replaced doesn't mean you costs is then added to the price of your car.

Once the used car markets settles down these prices will creep back into the 24-28k range.

You have a lot into it. What do you think your car is worth?

Ah, this is some great insight. I've been checking values this week and it seems sub 100k E92 M3s are around $30-$35k depending on options and condition. Trade in isn't great at $22-$25k.

I'm still on the fence about keeping it since it's really fun on track, I just need it to hold together.

It would be really challenging to replace this car as it's a really unique experience for sure

The dealer will probably have a $20k "market adjustment" on the GR86. I think putting an additional "$20k additional customer adjustment" on that trade in is appropriate. You can go down on your "customer adjustment" if the dealer goes down on their "market adjustment"